Resistive memory cell having a low forming voltage

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a memory cell including a co-doped data storage structure. A bottom electrode overlies a substrate and a top electrode overlies the bottom electrode. The data storage structure is disposed between the top and bottom electrodes. The data storage structure comprises a dielectric material doped with a first dopant and a second dopant.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/893,977, filed on Aug. 30, 2019, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Many modern electronic devices contain electronic memory configured tostore data. Electronic memory may be volatile memory or non-volatilememory. Volatile memory stores data while it is powered, whilenon-volatile memory is able to keep data when power is removed.Resistive random access memory (RRAM) is one promising candidate fornext generation non-volatile memory technology due to its simplestructure and compatibility with complementary metal-oxide semiconductor(CMOS) logic processes. An RRAM cell includes a dielectric data storagestructure having a variable resistance, which is placed between twoelectrodes disposed within interconnect metallization layers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the followingdetailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It isnoted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry,various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of thevarious features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity ofdiscussion.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of some embodiments of a memorydevice including a memory cell having a low forming voltage.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of some embodiments of amemory device including a memory cell having a co-doped data storagestructure.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate cross-sectional views of some alternativeembodiments of the memory device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of some embodiments of anintegrated chip including memory cells that each have a low formingvoltage disposed within an embedded memory region that is laterallyadjacent to a logic region.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of some alternative embodiments of theintegrated chip of FIG. 5 according to the line in FIG. 5.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate cross-sectional views of some embodiments of anintegrated chip including a memory cell with a low forming voltagedisposed within an interconnect structure.

FIGS. 9-14 illustrate cross-sectional views of some embodiments of amethod of forming a memory cell with a low forming voltage.

FIG. 15 illustrates a flowchart according to some embodiments of amethod for forming a memory cell with a low forming voltage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples,for implementing different features of this disclosure. Specificexamples of components and arrangements are described below to simplifythe present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and arenot intended to be limiting. For example, the formation of a firstfeature over or on a second feature in the description that follows mayinclude embodiments in which the first and second features are formed indirect contact, and may also include embodiments in which additionalfeatures may be formed between the first and second features, such thatthe first and second features may not be in direct contact. In addition,the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters inthe various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicityand clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between thevarious embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

Further, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,”“above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatiallyrelative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of thedevice in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted inthe figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degreesor at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors usedherein may likewise be interpreted accordingly.

A resistive random access memory (RRAM) cell includes a data storagestructure (e.g., one or more oxide layer(s)) arranged between a topelectrode and a bottom electrode. The RRAM cell is disposed over asemiconductor substrate. A variable resistance of the data storagestructure represents a data unit, such as a bit of data. Depending on avoltage applied between the top and bottom electrodes, the variableresistance undergoes a reversible change between a high resistance stateand a low resistance state corresponding to data states of the dataunit. The high resistance state is high in that the variable resistanceexceeds a threshold, and the low resistance state is low in that thevariable resistance is below the threshold.

Before an RRAM cell can be used to store data, an initial conductivepath (i.e., conductive filament) is typically formed across the datastorage structure. Formation of the initial conductive path makessubsequent write operations (that form the conductive path) easier toperform. To form the initial conductive path, at the end of the RRAMmanufacturing process a forming voltage is applied across the top andbottom electrodes. In some types of RRAM cells, the conductive path mayinclude vacancies (e.g., oxygen vacancies). In such devices the formingvoltage may knock oxygen atoms out of a lattice of the data storagestructure, thereby forming localized oxygen vacancies. These localizedoxygen vacancies tend to align to form the conductive path which extendsthrough the data storage structure. Thereafter, set or reset voltagescan be applied across the top and bottom electrodes to changeresistivity of the data storage structure between the high resistancestate and the low resistance state. Generally, the forming voltage isgreater than the set voltage. Typically, one or more transistors (e.g.,a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET)) disposedon/over the semiconductor substrate provide voltages to the RRAM cell,such that the forming voltage, the set voltage, and the reset voltagemay be applied across the top electrode and the bottom electrode.

In some embodiments in which the conductive filament is formed beforethe RRAM cell is used to store data, the data storage structure may beor comprise an undoped metal oxide structure (e.g., undoped aluminumoxide (AlO_(x))). In such embodiments, the forming voltage may berelatively high. In an effort to improve device density and deviceperformance, feature sizes of the one or more transistors and/or RRAMcell are continually being scaled down. However, as the feature sizes ofthe one or more transistors are scaled down, the relatively high formingvoltage becomes problematic (e.g., due to the reduced feature sizes ofthe one or more transistors reducing breakdown voltages). The relativelyhigh forming voltage may be greater than a safe output voltage of theone or more transistors. Accordingly, if the one or more transistors areoperated to output the relatively high forming voltage, the one or moretransistors may be damaged and/or destroyed.

The present application, in some embodiments, is directed toward an RRAMcell that has a low forming voltage. The RRAM cell includes a bottomelectrode disposed within an inter-level dielectric (ILD) structure thatis disposed over a substrate. A top electrode is disposed within the ILDstructure and overlies the bottom electrode. A data storage structure isdisposed within the ILD structure and between the top and bottomelectrodes. The data storage structure comprises a dielectric material(e.g., aluminum oxide (AlO_(x))) co-doped with a first dopant (e.g.,nitrogen) and a second dopant (e.g., tantalum). Because the data storagestructure is co-doped with the first and second dopants, a formingvoltage of the RRAM cell may be improved (e.g., reduced) whilemaintaining good reliability of the RRAM cell. For example, doping thedata storage structure with the first dopant may reduce or eliminate theforming voltage of the RRAM cell and doping the data storage structurewith the second dopant may ensure good reliability of the RRAM cell ismaintained (e.g., good retention performance). Accordingly, anintegrated chip comprising the RRAM cell may have one or moretransistor(s) with scaled down feature sizes that can safely provide thelow forming voltage to the RRAM cell. This in turn facilitates shrinkingthe feature sizes of the RRAM cell and the one or more transistor(s)while mitigating and/or eliminating damage to the RRAM cell and/or theone or more transistors(s).

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of some embodiments of a memorydevice 100 including a memory cell 104 having a low forming voltage.

In some embodiments, the memory device 100 includes the memory cell 104electrically coupled to a transistor 102, such that the memory device100 is in a one transistor-one resistive memory cell (1T1R)configuration. In further embodiments, the transistor 102 may forexample be a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET).The memory cell 104 includes a bottom electrode 106, a top electrode110, and a data storage structure 108 disposed between the bottom andtop electrodes 106, 110. A bit line (BL) is electrically coupled to oneend of the data storage structure 108 through the top electrode 110, anda source line (SL) is electrically coupled to an opposite end of thedata storage structure 108 through the transistor 102. A word line (WL)is electrically coupled to a gate electrode of the transistor 102. Thus,application of a suitable WL voltage to the gate electrode of thetransistor 102 couples the memory cell 104 between the BL and the SL.Consequently, in some embodiments, by providing suitable biasconditions, the memory cell 104 can be switched between two states ofelectrical resistance, a low resistance state and a high resistancestate, to store data.

In some embodiments, the data storage structure 108 comprises adielectric material (e.g., aluminum oxide (AlO_(x))) co-doped with afirst dopant (e.g., nitrogen) and a second dopant (e.g., tantalum).Thus, in various embodiments, the data storage structure 108 maycomprise aluminum oxide, nitrogen, and tantalum and/or may have athickness within a range of about 20 to 80 angstroms. In furtherembodiments, between about 1 to 15 percent of a chemical composition ofthe data storage structure 108 is the first dopant (e.g., nitrogen). Inyet further embodiments, between about 2 to 20 percent of the chemicalcomposition of the data storage structure 108 is the second dopant(e.g., tantalum). In some embodiments, the memory cell 104 may beconfigured as a resistive random access memory (RRAM) cell, such thatthe data storage structure 108 comprises material(s) having a variableresistance configured to undergo a reversible phase change between ahigh resistance state and a low resistance state.

In some embodiments, before the memory cell 104 may be used to storedata, an initial conductive path (i.e., conductive filament) istypically formed with a region 112 across the data storage structure108. Formation of the initial conductive path makes subsequent writeoperations (that form the conductive path) easier to perform. In furtherembodiments, to form the initial conductive path, a forming voltage isapplied across the top electrode 110 and the bottom electrode 106 by thetransistor 102 and the BL. The initial conductive path may includevacancies (e.g., oxygen vacancies). In such embodiments, the formingvoltage may knock oxygen atoms out of a lattice of the data storagestructure 108, thereby forming localized oxygen vacancies. Theselocalized vacancies tend to align within the region 112 to form theinitial conductive path which extends within the data storage structure108 from the bottom electrode 106 to the top electrode 110. Thereafter,set or reset voltages can be applied across the bottom and topelectrodes 106, 110, by way of the transistor 102 and the BL, to changeresistivity of the data storage structure 108 between the highresistance state and the low resistance state.

In various embodiments, by virtue of the data storage structure 108comprising the first dopant (e.g., nitrogen), the forming voltage may bereduced and/or eliminated. For example, in some embodiments, formationof the initial conductive path may not be performed before a setoperation is performed on the memory cell 104, such that a formingvoltage is not applied across the data storage structure 108 and/or thetransistor 102. This in turn facilitates shrinking the feature sizes ofthe memory cell 104 and/or the transistor 102 while mitigating and/oreliminating damage to the memory cell 104 and/or the transistor 102. Insome embodiments, the forming voltage may be equal to a set voltage. Inyet further embodiments, the forming voltage may be about equal to theset voltage and/or the forming voltage may be within a range of about 0to 25 percent greater than the set voltage. In some embodiments, if theset voltage is about 2 volts (V), then the forming voltage is less thanabout 2.5 V. In some embodiments, the first dopant may, for example,decrease energy required to form vacancies within the data storagestructure 108, thereby increasing an ability to form localized oxygenvacancies within the region 112. In further embodiments, by virtue ofthe data storage structure 108 comprising the second dopant (e.g.,tantalum), data retention of the memory cell 104 may be improved. Insuch embodiments, the second dopant has a strong bond with oxygen atomswithin the data storage structure 108, such that the strong bond may notbe broken by a baking process performed on the memory cell 104. In someembodiments, the strong bond between the second dopant and the oxygenatoms may be greater than about 600 kilojoules per mole (kJ/mol). Forexample, if the second dopant is tantalum, then the strong bond betweentantalum and oxygen may be within a range of about 805 to 839 kJ/mol. Infurther embodiments, the strong bond between the second dopant andoxygen is greater than a bond between the first dopant and oxygen, andthe bond between the first dopant and oxygen is greater than a bondbetween aluminum and oxygen. In yet further embodiments, the bondbetween the first dopant and oxygen may be about 630 kJ/mol and/or thebond between aluminum and oxygen may be within a range of about 490 to515 kJ/mol. In some embodiments, the baking process may be performed onthe memory cell 104 to determine if the data storage structure 108 mayretain its data state and/or the baking process may reach a temperaturewithin a range of about 125 to 250 degrees Celsius. Thus, because thedata storage structure 108 is co-doped with the first and seconddopants, the forming voltage of the memory cell 104 may be improved(e.g., reduced or eliminated) while maintaining good data retention ofthe memory cell 104.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of some embodiments of amemory device 200 including the memory cell 104 having the data storagestructure 108 that comprises the first dopant and the second dopant.

The memory device 200 includes an interconnect dielectric structure 216and a substrate 202. In some embodiments, the substrate 202 may forexample, be or comprise a semiconductor body such as monocrystallinesilicon/CMOS bulk, silicon-germanium (SiGe), a silicon-on-insulator(SOI), or another suitable semiconductor substrate material and/or thesubstrate 202 may comprise a first doping type (e.g., p-type). Thetransistor 102 be disposed over/within the substrate 202. In someembodiments, the transistor 102 may, for example, be or comprise a metaloxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET), a high voltagetransistor, a bipolar junction transistor (BJT), an n-channel metaloxide semiconductor (nMOS) transistor, a p-channel metal oxidesemiconductor (pMOS) transistor, or another suitable transistor. Infurther embodiments, the transistor 102 may include source/drain regions204, a gate dielectric layer 206, a gate electrode 208, and/or asidewall spacer structure 210. The source/drain regions 204 may bedisposed within the substrate 202 and/or may comprise a second dopingtype (e.g., n-type) opposite the first doping type.

A lower interconnect via 212 is disposed within the interconnectdielectric structure 216 and overlies a source/drain region 204 of thetransistor 102. In some embodiments, the interconnect dielectricstructure 216 may, for example, be or comprise one or more inter-leveldielectric (ILD) layers. The one or more ILD layers may, for example,respectively be or comprise silicon oxide, a low κ dielectric material,an extreme low κ dielectric material, another suitable dielectricmaterial, or a combination of the foregoing. As used herein, a low κdielectric material may be or comprise, for example, a dielectricmaterial with a dielectric constant κ less than approximately 3.9, 3, 2,or 1. A lower interconnect wire 214 overlies the lower interconnect via212. In some embodiments, the lower interconnect via and wire 212, 214may, for example, each be or comprise copper, aluminum, tungsten,another suitable conductive material, or a combination of the foregoing.A bottom electrode via 218 is disposed within the interconnectdielectric structure 216 and overlies the lower interconnect wire 214. Atop electrode via 220 overlies the bottom electrode via 218. The memorycell 104 is disposed within the interconnect dielectric structure 216between the bottom electrode via 218 and the top electrode via 220. Anupper interconnect via 222 is disposed within the interconnectdielectric structure 216 and overlies the top electrode via 220. Anupper interconnect wire 224 overlies the upper interconnect via 222.

In some embodiments, the memory cell 104 includes the bottom electrode106, the top electrode 110, and the data storage structure 108 disposedbetween the bottom and top electrodes 106, 110. During operation, thememory cell 104 relies on redox reactions to form and dissolve aconductive path 228 in a region 112 of the data storage structure 108between the bottom and top electrodes 106, 110. The existence of theconductive path 228 in the region 112 between the bottom and topelectrodes 106, 110 produces a low resistance state, while the absenceof the conductive path 228 in the region 112 results in a highresistance state. Thus, the memory cell 104 can be switched between thehigh resistance state and the low resistance state by applyingappropriate biases to the memory cell 104 to produce or dissolve theconductive path 228 in the region 112. In further embodiments, theconductive path 228 may, for example, include oxygen vacancies 226disposed within the region 112 and extending between the bottom and topelectrodes 106, 110.

In some embodiments, the data storage structure 108 may comprise aco-doped dielectric material, such that the data storage structure 108includes a dielectric material, a first dopant, and a second dopant. Insome embodiments, the first dopant may be a cation and the second dopantmay be an anion. In some embodiments, the dielectric material may, forexample, be or comprise a high κ dielectric material, aluminum oxide(e.g., Al₂O₃), tantalum oxide, hafnium oxide, another suitabledielectric material, or a combination of the foregoing. As used herein,a high κ dielectric material may, for example, be or comprise adielectric material with a dielectric constant κ greater thanapproximately 3.9, 9.34, 9.9, or 11.54. In some embodiments, the firstdopant may, for example, be or comprise nitrogen, carbon, fluorine, orthe like. In further embodiments, the second dopant may, for example, beor comprise tantalum, cerium, hafnium, zirconium, or the like. Thus, insome embodiments, the data storage structure 108 may, for example, be orcomprise aluminum oxide doped with the first and second dopants, wherethe first dopant is different than the second dopant. In furtherembodiments, the first dopant may be configured to reduce a formingvoltage of the data storage structure 108 and the second dopant may beconfigured to increase data retention of the data storage structure 108.

In various embodiments, between about 1 to 15 percent of a chemicalcomposition of the data storage structure 108 is the first dopant (e.g.,nitrogen, carbon, fluorine, etc.). In some embodiments, if the firstdopant is less than 1 percent of the chemical composition of the datastorage structure 108, then the forming voltage of the memory cell 104may not be reduced. In further embodiments, if the first dopant isgreater than 15 percent of the chemical composition of the data storagestructure 108, then an endurance of the memory cell 104 may be reduced,thereby decreasing a number of set and/or reset operations that may beperformed on the data storage structure 108. In some embodiments,between about 2 to 20 percent of the chemical composition of the datastorage structure 108 is the second dopant (e.g., tantalum, cerium,hafnium, zirconium, etc.). In some embodiments, if the second dopant isless than about 2 percent of the chemical composition of the datastorage structure 108, then data retention of the memory cell 104 maynot be increased. In further embodiments, if the second dopant isgreater than about 20 percent of the chemical composition of the datastorage structure 108, then a number of set and/or reset operations thatmay be performed on the data storage structure 108 is reduced. In someembodiments, the data storage structure 108 comprises a first atomicpercentage of the first dopant and a second atomic percentage of thesecond dopant. In some embodiments, the first atomic percentage is lessthan the second atomic percentage. In further embodiments, the firstatomic percentage may be within a range of about 1 to 15 percent and/orthe second atomic percentage may be within a range of about 2 to 20percent. In some embodiments, a thickness of the data storage structure108 is within a range of about 20 to 80 Angstroms. In furtherembodiments, if the thickness of the data storage structure 108 is lessthan about 20 Angstroms, then high current leakage may occur between thebottom and top electrodes 106, 110. In yet further embodiments, if thethickness of the data storage structure 108 is greater than about 80Angstroms, then the forming voltage of the memory cell 104 may beincreased.

In some embodiments, the bottom and/or top electrode vias 218, 220 may,for example, respectively be or comprise copper, aluminum, tungsten, acombination of the foregoing, or the like. In some embodiments, thebottom electrode 106 may, for example, be or comprise tantalum, tantalumnitride, titanium nitride, tungsten, ruthenium, iridium, platinum, orthe like. In further embodiments, the top electrode 110 may, forexample, be or comprise hafnium, hafnium nitride, titanium, titaniumnitride, tantalum, tantalum nitride, or the like. In yet furtherembodiments, between about 20 to 50 percent of the chemical compositionof the data storage structure 108 is aluminum and/or between about 50 to70 percent of the chemical composition of the data storage structure 108is oxygen. In some embodiments, the bottom electrode 106 may comprisethe first dopant (e.g., nitrogen) and/or the top electrode 110 maycomprise the first dopant (e.g., nitrogen. In yet further embodiments,the bottom and top electrodes 106, 110 may comprise a same material. Infurther embodiments, the top electrode 110 may comprise the first dopant(e.g., nitrogen) and/or the second dopant (e.g., tantalum), for examplethe top electrode 110 may comprise tantalum nitride.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of some embodiments of amemory device 300 corresponding to some alternative embodiments of thememory device 200 of FIG. 2.

The interconnect dielectric structure 216 may be or comprise a pluralityof ILD layers 302 a-d. In some embodiments, the ILD layers 302 a-d may,for example, respectively be or comprise an oxide, such as silicondioxide, a low κ dielectric material, an extreme low κ dielectricmaterial, or anther suitable dielectric material. In some embodiments,the memory cell 104 includes the bottom electrode, 106, the data storagestructure 108, the top electrode 110, and a capping layer 304. Thecapping layer 304 is disposed between the top electrode 110 and the topelectrode via 220. In some embodiments, the capping layer 304 may, forexample, be or comprise hafnium, titanium, tantalum, aluminum,zirconium, another suitable material, or a combination of the foregoing.In some embodiments, a sidewall spacer structure 306 is disposed aroundsidewalls of the data storage structure 108, sidewalls of the topelectrode 110, and sidewalls of the capping layer 304. In someembodiments, the sidewall spacer structure 306 may, for example, be orcomprise silicon carbide, silicon nitride, or the like.

In some embodiments, the data storage structure 108 may comprise aco-doped dielectric material, such that the data storage structure 108includes a dielectric material (e.g., aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃)), a firstdopant (e.g., nitrogen, carbon, fluorine, etc.), and a second dopant(e.g., tantalum, cerium, hafnium, zirconium, etc.). In furtherembodiments, the capping layer 304 comprises the second dopant (e.g.,tantalum). In yet further embodiments, the sidewall spacer structure 306comprises the first dopant (e.g., nitrogen), for example, the sidewallspacer structure 306 may comprise silicon nitride.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of some embodiments of amemory device 400 corresponding to some alternative embodiments of thememory device 200 of FIG. 2.

In some embodiments, the memory cell 104 contains a film stack 402comprising: the bottom electrode via 218, the bottom electrode 106, thedata storage structure 108, the top electrode 110, and the capping layer304. The film stack 402 comprises a middle region over the lowerinterconnect wire 214 and a peripheral region beneath a pair ofsidewalls of the sidewall spacer structure 306. A bottom surface of themiddle region of the film stack 402 is disposed below a bottom surfaceof the peripheral region of the film stack 402.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of some embodiments of anintegrated chip 500 including a first memory cell 104 a and a secondmemory cell 104 b laterally disposed within an embedded memory region502, in which the embedded memory region 502 is laterally adjacent to alogic region 504.

In some embodiments, the first and/or second memory cells 104 a-b arerespectively configured as the memory cell 104 of FIG. 3. The first andsecond memory cells 104 a-b are laterally offset from the logic region504. In some embodiments, the logic region 504 comprises lowerinterconnect wires 214 disposed within a lower ILD layer 302 a. Further,an upper interconnect via 222 is disposed within the logic region 504and vertically extends from an upper interconnect wire 224 to a lowerinterconnect wire 214.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view 600 of some embodiments of the integratedchip 500 of FIG. 5 taken along the line in FIG. 5.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 6, when viewed from abovethe first and/or second memory cells 104 a-b each have a square shape.In some embodiments, when viewed from above the first and/or secondmemory cells 104 a-b may each have a rectangular shape, a circularshape, an elliptical shape, or another suitable shape. Further, thesidewall spacer structure 306 laterally encloses the capping layer 304.In further embodiments, the upper interconnect via 222 within the logicregion 504 may, for example, have an elliptical or circular shape whenviewed from above.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of some embodiments of anintegrated chip 700 including a memory cell 104 disposed within aninterconnect structure 714 configured for a one transistor-one resistivememory cell (1T1R) setup.

In some embodiments, the integrated chip 700 includes the interconnectstructure 714 overlying a substrate 202. In some embodiments, thesubstrate 202 may, for example, be or comprise a bulk substrate (e.g., abulk silicon substrate) or a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. Atransistor 706 is disposed within/over the substrate 202. In someembodiments, the transistor 706 may, for example, be configured as aMOSFET. The transistor 706 includes a pair of source/drain regions 708disposed within the substrate 202 and laterally spaced apart. A gatedielectric 710 overlies the substrate 202 between the source/drainregions 708, and a gate electrode 712 overlies the gate dielectric 710.In some embodiments, the gate electrode 712 may, for example, be orcomprise polysilicon or another suitable conductive material. Thesubstrate 202 comprises a first doping type (e.g., p-type) and thesource/drain regions 708 comprise a second doping type (e.g., n-type)opposite the first doping type. In some embodiments, the source/drainregions 708 comprise a doping concentration greater than a dopingconcentration of the substrate 202. A well region 704 is disposedbetween the source/drain regions 708 and comprises the first doping type(e.g., p-type) with a high doping concentration than the substrate 202.

The interconnect structure 714 comprises the interconnect dielectricstructure 216, a plurality of conductive vias 716, and a plurality ofconductive wires 718. The plurality of conductive vias and wires 716,718 are disposed within the interconnect dielectric structure 216 andare configured to provide electrical connections between various devices(e.g., the transistor 706 and/or the memory cell 104) disposedthroughout the integrated chip 700. In some embodiments, the conductivevias and/or wires 716, 718 may, for example, respectively be or comprisecopper, aluminum, tungsten, a combination of the foregoing, or someother suitable conductive material. In some embodiments, the memory cell104 is configured as the memory cell 104 of FIG. 3 and may be disposedbetween lower and upper layers of the conductive wires 718. In someembodiments, the bottom electrode 106 of the memory cell 104 iselectrically coupled to a first source/drain region 708 of thetransistor 706 by way of the interconnect structure 714. In furtherembodiments, the top electrode 110 of the memory cell 104 iselectrically coupled to a bit line (BL) by way of the interconnectstructure 714.

In some embodiments, the gate electrode 712 of the transistor 706 iselectrically coupled to a word line (WL), such that an appropriate WLsignal (e.g., a voltage and/or a current) can be applied to the gateelectrode 712 to electrically couple the memory cell 104 to the BL and asource line (SL). The SL is electrically coupled to a secondsource/drain region 708 of the transistor 706 and the BL is electricallycoupled to the first source/drain region 708 by way of the interconnectstructure 714 and the memory cell 104. Thus, in some embodiments, anoutput of the BL and/or the memory cell 104 may be accessed at the SLupon application of the appropriate WL signal. In further embodiments,appropriate bias conditions may be applied to the transistor 706 and thememory cell 104 by way of the WL, SL, and BL such that a formingoperation, a set operation, a reset operation, or a read operation maybe performed on the memory cell 104. In yet further embodiments, avoltage may be applied at a transistor body node 702 that iselectrically coupled to the well region 704 (i.e., a body of thetransistor 706) disposed beneath the gate electrode 712. The voltageapplied at the transistor body node 702 may be configured to assist incontrolling a conductive channel formed within the well region 704. Infurther embodiments, by virtue of the memory cell 104 having a datastorage structure 108 comprising the first dopant and the second dopant,feature sizes of the transistor 706 may be reduced.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of some embodiments of anintegrated chip 800 corresponding to some alternative embodiments of theintegrated chip 700 of FIG. 7. In some embodiments, the integrated chip800 includes the memory cell 104 disposed within an interconnectstructure 714 configured for a two transistor-one resistive memory cell(2T1R) setup.

In some embodiments, the integrated chip 800 includes a first transistor706 a and a second transistor 706 b, in which the first and secondtransistors 706 a-b are respectively configured as the transistor 706 ofFIG. 7. The first and second transistors 706 a-b share a commonsource/drain region 708 disposed laterally between the first and secondtransistors 706 a-b. The common source/drain region 708 may beelectrically coupled to the bottom electrode 106 of the memory cell 104by way of the interconnect structure 714. In some embodiments, by virtueof the memory cell 104 having a data storage structure 108 comprisingthe first dopant and the second dopant, feature sizes of the first andsecond transistors 706 a-b may be reduced.

FIGS. 9-14 illustrate cross-sectional views 900-1400 of some embodimentsof a method for forming a memory device including a memory cell having adata storage structure that comprises a first dopant and a second dopantaccording to the present disclosure. Although the cross-sectional views900-1400 shown in FIGS. 9-14 are described with reference to a method,it will be appreciated that the structures shown in FIGS. 9-14 are notlimited to the method but rather may stand along separate of the method.Although FIGS. 9-14 are described as a series of acts, it will beappreciated that these acts are not limiting in that the order of theacts can be altered in other embodiments, and the methods disclosed arealso applicable to other structures. In other embodiments, some actsthat are illustrated and/or described may be omitted in whole or inpart.

As shown in cross-sectional view 900 of FIG. 9, a lower interconnectwire 214 is formed within a lower ILD layer 302 a. A lower dielectriclayer 302 b is formed over the lower ILD layer 302 a. A bottom electrodevia layer 902 is formed over the lower interconnect wire 214 and thelower dielectric layer 302 b. A memory cell layer stack 904 is formedover the bottom electrode via layer 902. The memory cell layer stack 904includes: a bottom electrode layer 906, a data storage layer 908, a topelectrode layer 910, and a capping film 912. In some embodiments, thelayers of the memory cell layer stack 904 may respectively be formed by,for example, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition(PVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), sputtering, co-sputtering,electroless plating, electroplating, or another suitable growth ordeposition process.

In some embodiments, formation of the memory cell layer stack 904 mayinclude performing a deposition process for each layer within the memorycell layer stack 904. For example, a first deposition process (e.g.,CVD, PVD, etc.) may be performed to form the bottom electrode layer 906over the bottom electrode via layer 902. Further, a second depositionprocess (e.g., CVD, PVD, sputtering, co-sputtering, etc.) may beperformed to form the data storage layer 908 over the bottom electrodelayer 906. In some embodiments, the data storage layer 908 is formed insuch a manner that the data storage layer 908 comprises a dielectricmaterial (e.g., aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃)) co-doped with a first dopant(e.g., nitrogen) and a second dopant (e.g., tantalum). In someembodiments, the dielectric material may, for example, be or comprise ahigh κ dielectric material, aluminum oxide (e.g., Al₂O₃), tantalumoxide, hafnium oxide, another suitable dielectric material, or acombination of the foregoing. In further embodiments, the first dopantmay, for example, be or comprise nitrogen, carbon, fluorine, or thelike. In yet further embodiments, the second dopant may, for example, beor comprise tantalum, cerium, hafnium, zirconium, or the like. Further,the data storage layer 908 may be formed, for example, such that thedata storage layer 908 comprises a first atomic percentage of the firstdopant and a second atomic percentage of the second dopant. In someembodiments, the first atomic percentage may be within a range of about1 to 15 percent and/or the second atomic percentage may be within arange of about 2 to 20 percent. Furthermore, a process for forming thedata storage layer 908 may include depositing a compound (e.g., acompound of the dielectric material (e.g., aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) andthe second dopant (e.g., tantalum)) by a deposition process (e.g., CVD,PVD, sputtering, co-sputtering, etc.) while concurrently exposing thecompound to an enhancement species (e.g., nitrogen (N)) such that thedata storage layer 908 comprises a co-doped dielectric material (e.g.,aluminum oxide co-doped with the first and second dopants). In yetfurther embodiments, an annealing process may be performed on the datastorage layer 908 during the deposition process to facilitate the datastorage layer 908 comprising the first and/or second dopants. In someembodiments, the enhancement species is a gaseous form of the firstdopant. In yet further embodiments, the data storage layer 908 is formedto a thickness within a range of about 20 to 80 Angstroms.

In some embodiments, a process for forming the data storage layer 908may include performing a co-sputtering process to deposit a compoundcomprising aluminum oxide and the second dopant (e.g., co-sputteringaluminum oxide (e.g., Al₂O₃) and tantalum oxide (e.g., Ta₂O₅)) in aplasma environment, where the plasma comprises, for example, nitrogen(e.g., N₂). In further embodiments, a process for forming the datastorage layer 908 may include performing a CVD process or an ALD processto deposit a compound (e.g., the compound comprises aluminum oxide(e.g., Al₂O₃) and tantalum oxide (e.g., Ta₂O₅)) in a plasma environment,where the plasma comprises N₂ or NH₃. In yet further embodiments, aprocess for forming the data storage layer 908 may include performing aCVD process or an ALD process to form a material (e.g., aluminum oxide)in a chamber using a first precursor and/or a second precursor, in whichthe first precursor ensures the material is doped with the first dopantand the second precursor ensure the material is doped with the seconddopant. In some embodiments, the first precursor may, for example, be orcomprise (NH₄)OH, or another suitable precursor. In further embodiments,the second precursor may, for example, be or comprise TaCl₅, Ta(OC₂H₅)₅,or another suitable precursor.

As shown in cross-sectional view 1000 of FIG. 10, a first masking layer1002 is formed over the memory cell layer stack 904. In someembodiments, the first masking layer 1002 covers a middle region of thememory cell layer stack 904 and leaves a peripheral region of the memorycell layer stack 904 exposed.

As shown in cross-sectional view 1100 of FIG. 11, the memory cell layerstack (904 of FIG. 10) is patterned according to the first masking layer(1002 of FIG. 10), thereby defining a data storage structure 108, a topelectrode 110, and a capping layer 304. In some embodiments, thepatterning process may include: exposing unmasked regions of layersunderlying the first masking layer (1002 of FIG. 10) to one or moreetchants; and performing a removal process (not shown) to remove thefirst masking layer (1002 of FIG. 10) In some embodiments, thepatterning process may etch through a portion of the data storagestructure 108, such that the data storage structure 108 continuouslyextends along an upper surface of the bottom electrode layer 906 afterperforming the patterning process.

Also illustrated in FIG. 11, a passivation layer 1102 is formed over thecapping layer 304 and the data storage structure 108. In someembodiments, the passivation layer 1102 may, for example, be or comprisesilicon carbide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, or the like. Infurther embodiments, the passivation layer 1102 may be deposited by, forexample, CVD, PVD, ALD, or another suitable deposition process. Inaddition, after forming the passivation layer 1102 a second maskinglayer 1104 is formed over the passivation layer 1102, in which thesecond masking layer 1104 overlies the capping layer 304.

As shown in cross-sectional view 1200 of FIG. 12, a patterning processis performed on the structure of FIG. 11 according to the second maskinglayer (1104 of FIG. 11), thereby defining a bottom electrode 106, abottom electrode via 218, a sidewall spacer structure 306, and a memorycell 104. In some embodiments, the patterning process etches completelythrough the data storage structure 108. In further embodiments, afterthe patterning process, the data storage structure 108, the bottomelectrode 106, and the bottom electrode via 218 each have slantedopposing outer sidewalls. In some embodiments, the memory cell 104includes the capping layer 304, the top electrode 110, the bottomelectrode 106, and the data storage structure 108 disposed between thebottom and top electrodes 106, 110.

As shown in cross-sectional view 1300 of FIG. 13, a first upper ILDlayer 302 c is formed over and around the memory cell 104. In someembodiments, the first upper ILD layer 302 c may, for example, bedeposited by PVD, CVD, ALD, or another suitable deposition process.Further, a top electrode via 220 is formed over the memory cell 104, inwhich the top electrode via 220 extends through the first upper ILDlayer 302 c and the sidewall spacer structure 306 to contact the cappinglayer 304. In some embodiments, the top electrode via 220 may be formedby, for example, CVD, PVD, electroless plating, electroplating, oranother suitable growth or deposition process.

As shown in cross-sectional view 1400 of FIG. 14, a second upper ILDlayer 302 d is formed over the first upper ILD layer 302 c. In someembodiments, the second upper ILD layer 302 d may be deposited by, forexample, CVD, PVD, ALD, or another suitable deposition process. Further,an upper interconnect via 222 and an upper interconnect wire 224 areformed over the top electrode via 220. In some embodiments, the upperinterconnect via 222 and/or the upper interconnect wire 224 may beformed by a single damascene process or may be formed by a dualdamascene process.

FIG. 15 illustrates a method 1500 for forming a memory device includinga memory cell having a data storage structure that comprises a firstdopant and a second dopant according to the present disclosure. Althoughthe method 1500 is illustrated and/or described as a series of acts orevents, it will be appreciated that the method is not limited to theillustrated ordering or acts. Thus, in some embodiments, the acts may becarried out in different orders than illustrated, and/or may be carriedout concurrently. Further, in some embodiments, the illustrated acts orevents may be subdivided into multiple acts or events, which may becarried out at separate times or concurrently with other acts orsub-acts. In some embodiments, some illustrated acts or events may beomitted, and other un-illustrated acts or events may be included.

At act 1502, a lower interconnect wire is formed over a substrate. FIG.9 illustrates a cross-sectional view 900 corresponding to someembodiments of act 1502.

At act 1504, a memory cell layer stack is formed over the lowerinterconnect wire. The memory cell layer stack includes a bottomelectrode layer, a top electrode layer, and a data storage layerdisposed between the top and bottom electrode layers. The data storagelayer comprises a co-doped dielectric material. FIG. 9 illustrates across-sectional view 900 corresponding to some embodiments of act 1504.

At act 1506, a first patterning process is performed on the memory celllayer stack, thereby defining a data storage structure and a topelectrode. FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate cross-sectional views 1000 and1100 corresponding to some embodiments of act 1506.

At act 1508, a passivation layer is formed over the top electrode andalong an upper surface of the data storage structure. FIG. 11illustrates a cross-sectional view 1100 corresponding to someembodiments of act 1508.

At act 1510, a second patterning process is performed on the passivationlayer, the data storage structure, and the bottom electrode layer,thereby defining a sidewall spacer structure, a bottom electrode, and amemory cell. FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view 1200corresponding to some embodiments of act 1510.

At act 1512, a top electrode via is formed over the memory cell. FIG. 13illustrates a cross-sectional view 1300 corresponding to someembodiments of act 1512.

At act 1514, an upper interconnect via and an upper interconnect wireare formed over the top electrode via. FIG. 14 illustrates across-sectional view 1400 corresponding to some embodiments of act 1514.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to amemory cell comprising a top electrode, a bottom electrode, and a datastorage structure disposed between the top and bottom electrodes, wherethe data storage structure comprises a co-doped dielectric material.

In some embodiments, the present application provides a memory deviceincluding a substrate; a bottom electrode overlying the substrate; a topelectrode overlying the bottom electrode; and a data storage structuredisposed between the top and bottom electrodes, wherein the data storagestructure comprises a dielectric material doped with a first dopant anda second dopant.

In some embodiments, the present application provides an integrated chipincluding a substrate; a bottom electrode via overlying the substrate; atop electrode via overlying the bottom electrode via; and a resistiverandom access memory (RRAM) cell disposed between the bottom electrodevia and the top electrode via, wherein the RRAM cell includes a topelectrode, a bottom electrode, and a data storage structure disposedbetween the top and bottom electrodes, wherein the data storagestructure comprises a co-doped high κ dielectric material.

In some embodiments, the present application provides a method forforming a memory device, the method includes forming a lower conductivewire over a substrate; depositing a bottom electrode layer over thelower conductive wire; forming a data storage structure over the bottomelectrode layer such that the data storage structure comprises adielectric material, a first dopant, and a second dopant; forming a topelectrode over the data storage structure; and patterning the bottomelectrode layer, the data storage structure, and the top electrode,thereby defining a memory cell.

The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that thoseskilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the presentdisclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they mayreadily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifyingother processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/orachieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein.Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalentconstructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, andalterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure.

1. A memory device comprising: a substrate; a bottom electrode overlyingthe substrate; a top electrode overlying the bottom electrode; and adata storage structure disposed between the top and bottom electrodes,wherein the data storage structure comprises a dielectric material dopedwith a first dopant and a second dopant.
 2. The memory device of claim1, wherein the first dopant is different than the second dopant.
 3. Thememory device of claim 1, wherein the dielectric material is a high κdielectric material.
 4. The memory device of claim 1, wherein thedielectric material is aluminum oxide, the first dopant is nitrogen, andthe second dopant is tantalum.
 5. The memory device of claim 1, whereinthe dielectric material comprises a first atomic percentage of the firstdopant and a second atomic percentage of the second dopant, wherein thesecond atomic percentage is greater than the first atomic percentage. 6.The memory device of claim 5, wherein the first atomic percentage iswithin a range of about 1 to 15 percent and the second atomic percentageis within a range of about 2 to 20 percent.
 7. The memory device ofclaim 6, further comprising: a sidewall spacer structure overlying thesubstrate, wherein the sidewall spacer structure laterally enclosessidewalls of the data storage structure and sidewalls of the topelectrode.
 8. The memory device of claim 7, wherein the sidewall spacerstructure comprises the first dopant.
 9. The memory device of claim 1,wherein the top electrode and/or the bottom electrode comprise thesecond dopant.
 10. An integrated chip comprising: a substrate; a bottomelectrode via overlying the substrate; a top electrode via overlying thebottom electrode via; and a resistive random access memory (RRAM) celldisposed between the bottom electrode via and the top electrode via,wherein the RRAM cell comprises a top electrode, a bottom electrode, anda data storage structure disposed between the top and bottom electrodes,wherein the data storage structure comprises a co-doped high κdielectric material.
 11. The integrated chip of claim 10, wherein theco-doped high κ dielectric material comprises a first dopant and asecond dopant different than the first dopant.
 12. The integrated chipof claim 11, wherein the top electrode comprises a first conductivematerial and the top electrode via comprises a second conductivematerial different than the first conductive material.
 13. Theintegrated chip of claim 12, wherein the first conductive materialcomprises the first dopant or the second dopant.
 14. The integrated chipof claim 10, further comprising: a sidewall spacer structure overlyingthe bottom electrode via, wherein the sidewall spacer structurelaterally encloses sidewalls of the data storage structure; and acapping layer disposed between the top electrode and the top electrodevia.
 15. The integrated chip of claim 14, wherein the sidewall spacerstructure continuously extends from a sidewall of the data storagestructure to an upper surface of the data storage structure.
 16. Theintegrated chip of claim 10, wherein the data storage structurecomprises a first pair of opposing sidewalls and a second pair ofopposing sidewalls, wherein the first pair of opposing sidewalls arespaced laterally between the second pair of opposing sidewalls.
 17. Amethod for forming a memory device, the method comprising: forming alower conductive wire over a substrate; depositing a bottom electrodelayer over the lower conductive wire; forming a data storage structureover the bottom electrode layer such that the data storage structurecomprises a dielectric material, a first dopant, and a second dopant;forming a top electrode over the data storage structure; and patterningthe bottom electrode layer, the data storage structure, and the topelectrode, thereby defining a memory cell.
 18. The method of claim 17,wherein the data storage structure comprises a first atomic percentageof the first dopant and a second atomic percentage of the second dopant,wherein the second atomic percentage is greater than the first atomicpercentage.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein forming the data storagestructure comprises: depositing a compound of the dielectric materialand the second dopant while concurrently exposing the compound to anenhancement species, wherein depositing the compound includes performinga physical vapor deposition (PVD) process and the enhancement speciescomprises the first dopant.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein thedielectric material is aluminum oxide, the first dopant is nitrogen, andthe second dopant is tantalum.